Overview
- NASA plans to move the stacked SLS and Orion from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Complex 39B no earlier than January 17, a roughly 12-hour crawler transfer subject to readiness and weather.
- Technicians will conduct late-January fueling and countdown checks during a wet dress rehearsal that loads liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen for a full practice countdown.
- The agency says it may pause, repeat the rehearsal, or roll back to the VAB if issues arise, applying lessons from Artemis I propellant loading challenges.
- Published launch opportunities open February 6–8 and 10–11, with additional periods March 6–11 and April 1–6 if more time is needed.
- NASA reports minor items addressed during processing, including a bent flight-termination-system cable, an Orion hatch pressurization valve replacement, and leaking oxygen ground hardware, while deconflicting Artemis work with an expedited Crew-11 ISS return and potential Crew-12 acceleration.